The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz | L. Frank Baum | Audiobook Review

Why Did I Listen To This Book?

The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz is pretty important to me, more so the movie than the book. However, this listen of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by L. Frank Baum is my third time reading the book. Y’all, I listened to Anne Hathaway’s narration of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz because basically I am a glutton for celebrity narrated audiobooks and because I wanted to experience the story as an adult. Here’s where I admit to you that I used to be scared shitless of the flying monkeys from the movie. Like, I would not go into a room that had lumps in the blankets because I was convinced there were flying monkeys in the lumps. It got to the point where I would sleep out in the hallway. My parents still love to trot that story out to embarrass me from time to time. So you guys, I think that with this listen, I have FINALLY conquered that fear of those monkeys.

What’s The Story Here?

If you don’t know what happens in The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, you can just go home right now. Just leave. I don’t want you here. Like I don’t even give a shit about spoiling you because you should know what happens in The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz. Here’s what happens, basically Dorothy is on the farm with her Aunt Em and her Uncle Henry and her pet dog Toto. One day, Dorothy and Toto are swept away by a tornado and end up in The Land Of Oz, in Munchkin County where the house kills the Wicked Witch Of The East. This is fricken awesome for the munchkins but it totally pisses off the Wicked Witch of the West. Anyways, Dorothy is desperate to get home so she gets some advice from the Good Witch of the North to go to the Emerald City, easily found by following the yellow brick road. Along the way, Dorothy is joined by a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion. The whole way, the Wicked Witch tries to kill them, because she is evil. But you know what, the group perseveres and makes their way to the Wizard, and you guys pretty much know what happens for there, y’all there’s no place like home.

Who Was My Favorite Character?

Obviously my favorite character was Toto. Probably you thought I would say Dorothy, but hear me out. First off, dogs. I will forever and always love dogs especially when THEY DON’T DIE. Anyways, I love Toto because he’s a total scrapper like throughout the whole book it’s just consistent. Seriously, the dog totally has Dorothy’s safety in mind like the whole book and you guys, the dog may be small, but he is fierce.

Let’s Talk Things That Are In The Book But Not The Movie:

First off, A MOUNTAIN OF HAMMMERHEAD SHARKS. Um what. You guys, this must be like early Sharknado up in here. I am so sad this was not in the movie. AND THE LAND WHERE EVERYTHING IS MADE OF CHINA, also awesome. Giant spiders are there too. And you guys – the golden cap where Dorothy makes three wishes, that’s like so different from the movie. I think though, I like both equally but probably the movie a little bit more.

How’s The Narration?

Anne Hathaway can get it you guys. She can totally get it. I loved her narration of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by L. Frank Baum. She does a variety of fun and silly voices. When she isn’t doing the character voices, her narration is gentle and kind of perfectly on point for this book. It’s very melodic and makes for great listening. The audiobook is super short too – it’s 3 hours and 49 minutes unabridged and definitely makes short work of cleaning. I highly recommend this audiobook version of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

Yellow brick road adventure, obviously.

Disclosure: I Purchased My Copy Of This Audiobook For Free During Amazon’s Whispersync Promotion.

April is 30 years old and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and baby, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

I definitely need to pick this up and revisit the land of Oz! I’ve only read the book once when I was a kid, but I grew up on the movie—even went through a phase around 5 or 6 when I insisted on changing my name to Dorothy. ðŸ˜€ Anne Hathaway does seem like she’d have the perfect theatrical voice to really make this awesome. Thanks for recommending this, April!

I would probably listen to this one because it’s ANNE HATHAWAY narrating a classic story from my childhood. That would legitimately be enough reason to want this audiobook! Plus, anyone who has no idea what this book is about has led a very sad existence indeed.Alexa Y. recently posted..#BDBParty: Intro Post

So, just fyi, when you listen to an audiobook I was curious about, it like totally makes my day, because then I know important things like whether I should go for it.

Bahaha, my life is enriched by knowing that your greatest fear was flying monkeys.

Also, with certain things I’m totally like if that is a spoiler for you, it is your own damn fault. Meet pop culture, embrace it.

Um, no, I wouldn’t expect you to say Dorothy. She’d probably be my last pick, tbh. Plus, dogs. Even though I don’t like small dogs. Hmmm, torn.

Wait, SHARKS? I totally haven’t read the book, so the audio is totally a possibility. Also, you loved how she did it and I love Anne Hathaway, so this is officially going on my wishlist to buy when I’ll actually listen to it.

So, sidebar about Audible, I’m just sitting on my credit, both because I have this huge audio queue right now, but also it’s so hard to choose, because, like, with the membership, they’re cheaper, so it’s mostly just the long-ass audiobooks that cost more than the monthly fee and I mostly like short audiobooks and basically my life is so hard.Christina (A Reader of Fictions) recently posted..Cover Snark (79): The One with a Real Cover Cock-Up